Tag Archives: Sophia Neiman

When War Becomes a Way of Life: The Adjumani Story Series

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Research Assistant Benard Okot makes notes during an interview in Adjumani. Photo Credit, Sophia Neiman.

Welcome to Adjumani

A latrine is constructed from discarded United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) sheeting. The white of it has gone gray, the blue is faded and the sheeting billows like a flag above the urine soaked ground. Dogs lie in the road so still they might be dead, unfazed even by the buzzing of flies. A boy hawks rolex, a Ugandan street food made of chapatti and fried egg, from a cloud of dust. The smells of oil and boiled goats’ meat hang in the air. The sun is unforgiving.

This is Dzaipi Sub-County, Adjumani District.

It is just thirty kilometers from Nimule, on the border with South Sudan, and has been buffeted by conflict on both sides of that border since the time of Ugandan dictator Idi Amin Dada. Following Amin’s reign of terror, the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) rose to power in Uganda, forcing many into internally displaced persons’ camps and others into the rebel army itself. Meanwhile, the second Sudanese civil war raged on nearby, ultimately claiming two million souls.

A state of relative peace has returned to Adjumani. The LRA left Uganda in 2006. The promise of amnesty for returned recruits, traditional justice practices, geopolitical dynamics and depleted resources forced them from the country.  Still, the rebels remained active in South Sudan, Central African Republic and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Attacks in the DRC have been reported as recently as October 2018, but these are nowhere near the scope and scale of previous brutalities.

South Sudan officially established its independence from Sudan in 2011, but conflict erupted two years later, when South Sudanese President Salva Kiir accused Vice President Riek Machar of attempting a coup.  Fighting then broke out between the government army and rebel forces, with factions often divided along ethnic lines. Many fled in fear for their lives, making an equally terrifying journey to Uganda.

Henry Amadra, a South Sudanese refugee, recalls the perilous trip. At one point he and his family came to water, and were certain they might be thrown in if unable to explain themselves or bribe soldiers, so risky was movement between countries.

Henry Amadra poses for a portrait, following an interview with JRP staff. Photo Credit, Sophia Neiman.

Kiir and Machar reached a shaky peace deal was reached in October 2018, but an endless flow of refugees continues to cross the border between South Sudan and Uganda, escaping ongoing violence and uncertainty in the world’s newest nation. The current conflict is estimated to have displaced millions and resulted in approximately 383,000 deaths.

 A Land in Constant Conflict

 The story of Adjumani, like so much of Northern Uganda, is a story of war. It is a story James Wani  knows all too well. He is a tall and reedy man, with hunched shoulders and a shaved head. His eyes are gentle and his voice is slow and deep, the hard notes coming out only in certain moments.

James told his story from an un-mowed field near Dzaipi sub-county offices. Vehicles kicked up dirt on the road and elsewhere children laughed, then shrieked and began to cry. James first fled his home in fear of Idi Amin, and found himself in what is now South Sudan. He was a boy then and flight disrupted his education. It would not be the first time he was forced to run. As conflict between the Sudan Peoples’ Liberation Army (SPLA) and the Government intensified, James returned again to his home in Uganda. He found Joseph Kony and the LRA gaining power there, and he was once again in the center of a war zone.

James was abducted by the rebel army on three separate occasions. He does not give details, only the impression that fear and pain are routine emotions. War is over now and he still feels unsettled.

James Wani Narrates his experiences for JRP staff in Adjumani. Photo Credit, Sophia Neiman.

Betty Ottua has a similar tale; the only difference is that she was born in South Sudan, then called Sudan, and not in Uganda.  Betty came of age in Nimule, South Sudan. As she grew clashes between the SPLA and government forces also worsened, and she made the journey to Uganda when she was ten years old. She lived in a settlement in Adjumani. Betty claims it was the subject of constant LRA raids, as rebels stole the already meager UNHCR rations given to refugees. She returned to South Sudan in her adulthood, but the LRA found her there as well.

Betty’s lips turn upwards in the ghost of a smile as she describes a vicious attack on a vehicle by the LRA in South Sudan. There were gunshots everywhere. Somehow, the bullets missed her. She became soaked in the blood of others. Afterwards, the soldiers checked for survivors. They never found her.

They poured gasoline and set the vehicle ablaze and this is when Betty escaped. As she moved away, she saw a mother and baby. The woman was badly injured and close to dying and it was impossible to save her and too dangerous to take the child. They burnt.

Betty returned to Nimule, but discord between Kiir and Machar worsened and conflict broke out once again. She remembers seeing someone she knew killed on a near daily basis. So, Betty escaped again to Uganda, displacement habitual.

These are just two voices in a chorus. There are countless experiences, just as brutal and simply untold.

Sarah Akumu is the community development officer for Dzaipi sub-county. She sees great similarities between the experiences of both Northern Ugandan conflict survivors and South Sudanese refugees.  She spoke from her office, the midmorning sun already high and the heat intense. “This border of Sudan and Uganda is a porous border. We keep moving and we have relatives in these two countries,” she said. “What we went through, during the LRA activities, is more or less the same as what these people went through when they were forced to come here.”

In addition to similarities on both sides, covert border crossing were a routine part of the LRA insurgency, as the rebels established bases in South Sudan. They received support and a measure of security from the government of Sudan in Khartoum, allegedly in retaliation for Ugandan Government support of the SPLA.

Rebels and their captives spent significant time in jungles between South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Central African Republic and Northern Uganda, the lines of the map arbitrary. Michael Droma, who was abducted from his home in Adjumani, asserts that he became a soldier in South Sudan. There, he was taught to properly hold and shoot a gun. He claims that 2,136 other soldiers were trained alongside him.

Michael Droma poses for a portrait following his interview with JRP Staff. Photo Credit, Sophia Neiman.

Borders have shaped the African continent, and played a crucial role in war and strategy, and yet these borders seem near irrelevant to the human experience.

A Shared Past, A Shared Future

 The future and needs of Ugandan locals and South Sudanese refugees have become increasingly and irrevocably linked. The transitional justice process in the larger West Nile region is shaped by the need to support refugees and conflict survivors simultaneously.

According to Michael Droma, Ugandans and South Sudanese are prepared to unite, based on the understanding created by shared experience. He believes that people from both nations “can join hands together.” In fact, Uganda is known for having one of the most welcoming refugee policies in the world, opening its doors to those fleeing neighboring countries.

While empathy for and the desire to support refugees is clear, the environment itself presents challenges. Northern Uganda remains in a delicate period of recovery. Competition for natural resources is also fierce. Many refugees complain of being chased away from the forest by the local community when they try to cut grasses to build thatched huts.

Angelina Awut Adung fled South Sudan with her children. They live do not have a proper house or access to a latrine. Her eyes brim with tears when she tells her story. She wipes them away on the corners of her shawl and presses onward. UNHCR has been able to meet the basic needs of refugees, providing food rations and housing, but few other resources.  Angelina reported that she must sell these food rations in order to pay for clothes, and for school fees beyond primary school.

Angelina Awut Adung poses for a portrait following her interview with JRP staff. Photo Credit, Sophia Neiman.

Locals, on the other hand, claim that the refugee camps are contributing to massive deforestation, affecting the livelihood of a population that primarily survives as peasant farmers. Some even blame the refugees for the drought currently depleting crop production, claiming that the refugee population has entered sacred lands and angered the community elders.

The Local Council Three of Dzaipi sub-county, Mr. Charles Anyanzo, spoke about the influx of refugees from a bar near town. The tin roof slanted downwards, and music speakers were stacked on top of dusty beer crates. Outside, men played checkers with bottle caps. Power had gone out, and he was forced to converse by the light of mobile phones.

Mr. Anyanzo claimed that a “severe war” could erupt if the refugees are not properly settled, with attention to the needs of the local population. He believes it is crucial for non-profits and local leaders to actively meet the needs of both communities, specifically encouraging active intervention on the part of non-profits to “reduce hunger” for Ugandans, and in doing so curtail resentment that they may feel towards outside populations, allowing both to live in harmony.

Still, a question lingers. How can a traumatized population, in need of support, realistically accommodate equally traumatized refugees? How can the needs of both groups be met simultaneously, especially when those needs are myriad?

Speaking from the Dzaipi sub-county offices, Rosemary Anzoo pulls up the sleeve of her shirt to reveal a scar there. It is shaped almost like a star and puckered up as a pair of lips might be. Rosemary was raped by eight men during LRA captivity and stabbed. She speaks of problems in her bones, and still awaits treatment.

She wears silver hoop earrings, a skirt made of traditional cloth and a shirt from Justice and Reconciliation Project (JRP) bearing the slogan, “Speak Up and Act, SGBV is Real.” She covers the wound again and continues speaking.

Like a question, the image remains.

Changing the Minds of a Nation

 The Paramount Chief of the Madi People, Steven Izakare, opened the doors of his home to discuss these issues with JRP Staff.

On the surface, war and conflict have curtailed development throughout the West Nile. “West Nile and Acholi Sub-Region are great places that have been denied their opportunity to develop to their potential, because of the conflicts that have been raging on between the government and the so called rebel forces,” he said.

The issue, however, is deeper and more complex. According to His Highness Mr. Izakare, the war did not just impede development, but corroded the very mind of the nation. “A lot of minds were destroyed in the conflict. Many people who were good thinkers, the ones who could travel, met their demise on the road,” he said. “Finding a fresh mind that can separate between what has happened and what we need to be doing is very difficult.”  He claims it is challenging to encourage people to look beyond the trauma of the past and towards the possibility of the future. Thus, programs must not only meet multiple needs, but uplift the very mind of a nation.

If this happens, Mr. Izakare is optimistic. He envisions many communities living side by side in the West Nile, and a more developed Uganda that still respects and acknowledges its traditional past. “I’d like to see a Uganda that is truly peaceful. Emotionally, physically, psychologically, peaceful and healthy, and then it will also become wealthy,” he said. “The nationals on the ground have everything it takes to be a success, to sit amongst their peers, and have the respect from peers.”

Suddenly, the clouds darken, threatening rain. He calls it a blessing. Wind whips through the grass and fat drops begin to fall, slowly and then all at once.

There is hope, even in the places that seem bleak. Beatrice Yangi fled to Uganda with her children. She still recalls the difficult conditions in the camp, such as an attack of cholera and watching the elderly die in a downpour. She currently resides in Pagirinya Refugee Camp and lacks many basic necessities, including a mattress or sheets on which to sleep. Despite all this, she prays each morning upon waking and each night before going to bed. She thanks God at least twice each day. “Nothing is difficult for God. God can make anything better, anytime,” Beatrice said.

Beatrice Yangi narrates her experiences for JRP staff in Adjumani. Photo Credit, Sophia Neiman.

The obstacles ahead are clear. Organizations must partner to meet the shared needs of multiple suffering populations, and do so in a way that also empowers people towards a better future, drawing a clear line between what has happened and what is to come. It is undoubtedly difficult, but if it is possible to speak openly no matter how painful and to pray each day in spite of an immediate reality, then perhaps real change is possible too.

***

 Justice and Reconciliation Project remains committed to supporting the voices and needs of vulnerable populations throughout Northern Uganda. JRP has supported three Women’s Advocacy Network groups in Adjumani, providing income generating items and loan capitals.

This article is part of a larger series on the needs of communities in Adjumani.The project was made possible with the support of the Trust Africa Fund, with the goal of elevating forgotten voices and evaluating the success of existing programs.  Interviews with from the project will also aid in the development of a best practices guide for supporting victims of sexual and gender based violence. This guide will be shared at an international exchange in Nigeria. The guide will also be circulated to researchers, practitioners and government officials to ensure effective response

Project Interviews were conducted by JRP Communications Intern Sophia Neiman and Research Assistant Benard Okot. Translation was provided by Emmanuel Anyovi.

The Justice and Reconciliation Project Goes Abroad: An Update on International Travel and Collaboration

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WAN Chair Evelyn Amony and JRP Board Chair Michael Otim at the United Nations Security Council . Photo courtesy of Erin Baines.

Justice and Reconciliation Project staff is often on the road, driving long distances and engaging with grassroots communities throughout Uganda’s northern region. In October and November of this year, travel was also international, as two JRP officials participated in programs overseas.

Women’s Advocacy Network Chair Evelyn Amony journeyed to New York City, as she was invited by the Government of Poland to address members of the United Nations Security Council. Mrs. Amony was accompanied by JRP board chair Michael Otim and University of British Columbia Professor and JRP advisor, Dr. Erin Baines.

She shared her experiences in Lord’s Resistance Army Captivity, while also illuminating a path for the future. Specifically, Mrs. Amony told United Nations members about the importance of child tracing in post-conflict Uganda, a process through which children born of war are reunited with their families.

“It is the right of the child to know his paternal home,” Mrs. Amony said. In Acholi culture, identity and heritage are passed through the male line. Following, child tracing programs establish a previously lost sense of identity. Regardless of whether children are reunited on the maternal or paternal side, such work also alleviates many of the brutal challenges they face, providing security, the resources for an education and even land to cultivate. By supporting children now, non-profit organizations and government bodies can build the Uganda of tomorrow.

Mrs. Amony claims that her presence at the United Nations meeting was a powerful step towards a more inclusive vison of social justice, in which all voices are welcome and heard. “There is the thinking that only people who are educated should be invited in such a meeting, which I am not,” she said.  “I know that in life there are ups and downs. What I went through is not determining what I should do, that has passed. It is not about education per say, it’s about the person you are.”

Meanwhile, JRP head of office Mr.  Okwir Isaac Odiya traveled to Switzerland, to take part in Geneva Peace Week. There, he spoke on the importance of child reintegration in global peace and security measures. He also attended a meeting on Victims’ Rights organized by the Office of the Ambassador of Ireland and Women’s Initiatives for Gender Justice in The Hague. He joined a panel and elaborated on the ways in which local justice mechanisms can complement the International Criminal Court.

Like Mrs. Amony, Mr. Odiya advocated for inclusivity, making powerful, international organizations and government officials aware of local initiatives.  According to Mr. Odiya local non-profits, deeply entrenched in the community, have the best understanding of community needs, but do not always have the resources to fulfill their mandate.  International organizations have those resources, but often lack inside knowledge. Thus, true partnership and collaboration are crucial going forward.

Following the trip, and back at the JRP offices in Gulu Town, Mr. Odiya spoke about the dynamics of such collaboration in depth.  “The international bodies should first come to the local partners, should come to the grassroots people. . . to understand what they are doing and then build on what [locals] have already started,” Mr. Odiya said.

Specifically, he called for research and continued international workshops, in order to create a culture of mutual learning and support. “I would love the international organizations or bodies to partner with local organizations like Justice and Reconciliation Project to build momentum.” he said.  He continued on to explain that local and international organizations can work together to implement a variety of protocols, creating a more holistic approach to transitional justice practices.

Mr. Odiya made clear that the need is urgent, and these partnerships should be established with haste. He spoke of war wounds untreated, of bullets buried deep in flesh, of burns from bombings and of women afflicted with fistulas, the final aliment a result of wartime sexual and gender based violence. Many conflict survivors still await treatment, as the national transitional justice process lags, despite the pressing nature of these medical issues. Thus, he hopes to build on the awareness created at international meetings, in order to address key challenges as soon as possible.

Both meetings paved the way for collaboration and Mrs. Amony and Mr. Odiya remain pleased with the outcome. JRP will continue to promote inclusivity and grassroots work. Moreover, it looks forward to building strong relationships with global partners in order to effectively meet the needs of the community.

Victims lack Support due to Insufficient Funds in Thomas Kwoyelo Trial

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The Trial of Thomas Kwoyelo continues with plea taking. Photo Credit, Sophia Neiman.

Eyes downcast and voice quiet, accused rebel Thomas Kwoyelo repeated the same phrase over and over; “I did not know about it and I did not do it.” The first of the Lord’s Resistance Army to be tried in a domestic court, Kwoyelo stands accused of 93 counts of murder, rape, kidnap, and torture, as well as violations of the Geneva Convention.  Plea taking occurred on November 12 and 13, 2018 at the High Court in Gulu.  Kwoyelo pleaded not-guilty to all charges.

Following plea-taking, the case was adjourned until next year, and will continue in February of 2019. This follows a previous adjournment in September, when defense attorneys argued that the accused had not been presented with a proper translation of his indictment. A bail hearing set to take place on November 15, 2018 has also been postponed until January. Kwoyelo will again return to prison, awaiting a trial that has taken nearly ten years to come.

In addition to these continued delays, Victim’s Counsel Komatech Kilima claims that survivors’ voices have not been properly represented. Speaking outside of the court, following the first day of plea-taking, he said, “The trial has not been fair to victims.” Specifically, Kilima asserts that he has not been given the necessary facilitation by the International Crimes Division of the High Court in Uganda (ICD) to visit impacted areas, and gather opinions and testimony. A lack of funding has made it virtually impossible to share the voices and needs of those affected by war.

Kilima called passionately for grassroots programs and non-profit intervention to bring more attention to the trial, encourage community participation and protect the rights of all those involved. He said, it is crucial to, “keep it on people’s lips throughout.”

Meanwhile, Lady Justice Kiggundu claimed that the ICD in Uganda should provide proper facilitation for the Victims Counsel to properly consult with affected persons ahead of the bail application.

The Justice and Reconciliation Project will continue to share news and information about the trial as the story develops.

Local Leaders Commit to Aiding Survivors of Conflict at JRP Hosted Regional Dialogue

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Local leaders divide into smaller groups in order to best discuss strategies to support survivors of conflict. Photo Credit, Sophia Neiman.
Local leaders divide into smaller groups in order to best discuss strategies to support survivors of conflict. Photo Credit, Sophia Neiman.

The Mayor of Pader Town Council, Kilama Fearless Wodacholi, folded his hands and leaned across the table. “It touched me so much that my country has not yet done enough for [the survivors], he said. “It touched me that a lot of them say the war has not ended. It is only the silence of the guns.”

Mr. Wodacholi had just come from a regional dialogue, organized by the Justice and Reconciliation Project. The meeting took place on Wednesday, October 31st and brought together local leaders from across Northern Uganda, as well as victims’ representatives. Almost 90 people attended. It was sponsored by the Trust Africa Fund and hosted at Global Friendship Hotel in Gulu Town. The goal was to discuss the challenges victims currently face, and come up with comprehensive strategies to tackle those challenges, ahead of a national conference in January.

Post -conflict restoration is an oft forgotten battle-ground.  Wars finish with an exodus. Weapons are laid away, journalists turn off their cameras and aid organizations depart. Yet, peacetime brings its own set of obstacles, and the world turns a blind eye. The exodus complete, national and international attention is diverted to problems considered more pressing.

Wednesday’s regional dialogue empowered survivors to be activists, as they illuminated post conflict issues and demanded action. A woman identified as Winnie spoke passionately about the trauma latent in her community. Many of her fellow abductees have never received counseling or medical care. They still carry the burdens of war. Daily torment rubs salt in these wounds. She described being taunted when she left her home; her movements restricted. She also claimed that there have been few initiatives to support survivors. “Our very leaders are fighting us. Do we still belong to the community, or have they rejected us?” Winnie asked. Her voice rose and her eyes were wet.

Another woman, called Lily, explained how stigma is passed on to the next generation. Children born in captivity are punished for the simple fact of their existence. Some are bullied by their classmates and teachers to the extent that they stop attending school. “They stay in fear,” she said.

Leaders were moved. “There has been a gap,” said Abia Sub-County Chief, Sylvia Ometo. “We have not been following up on our women and girls who have come back from captivity . . . when I go back [home] I will give special concern to them.”

Leaders spent the rest of the meeting developing blueprints for change. They discussed using existing structures, such as the radio, community gatherings and the church to promote acceptance, and implanting livelihood initiatives to alleviate poverty. They also spoke of gathering data on how many former abductees exist in their communities, in order to better understand the problem and allocate aid.

There were also calls to push for an act of parliament, and to support survivors of conflict via affirmative action. “The most painful thing on earth is the memory of what you saw,” said Mr. Wodacholi. “Being a slave in your own land is a very painful moment . . . to reduce the suffering of these young people, and to give them hope, there must be an act of parliament.”

Leaders took careful notes, while brainstorming new stratagies. Photo Credit, Sophia Neiman.
Leaders took careful notes, while brainstorming new strategies. Photo Credit, Sophia Neiman.

Rampant corruption, however, impedes change, particularly at the national level. “For long are we going to pretend that we are standing for the plight of vulnerable persons?” asked Chairmen LCV of Omoro, Peter Douglas Okello. He added, “We must make the parliament and government accountable to the citizens. We must have a government that is accountable to the people.” He spoke at the official close of the meeting and appealed to the collective audience.

Later, standing in the bright sun outside of the hotel, Mr. Okello recalled his time as the District Speaker of Gulu. He presided over a petition submitted to parliament by WAN. Parliament deliberated over the document, but there has been no action from the central government of Uganda. That was nearly five years ago. He indicated that in addition this stalemate, the state of corruption in Uganda is such that services are poorly delivered and money is misspent. Mr. Okello called ardently for action. “The government of Uganda and the development partners all over the world need to review the development agenda for Northern Uganda, to focus on post-conflict recovery, transformation and development,” he said.

On the whole, leaders considered the meeting a success, and remained optimistic about future proceedings. Lapono Sub-County Chief, Akullu Margaret Otto, claimed that leaders will now, “advocate so much that [survivors] should be treated as our own people.”

JRP will continue to work directly with vulnerable communities and with officials in order to develop the strategies discussed, and will bring those strategies to the national conference in January.

A previous version of this article stated that the WAN petition was submitted to parliament seven years ago, rather than five. JRP deeply regrets this error.

Community Theatre Gives a Powerful Platform to Survivors of Conflict

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Community members gather to watch a theatre program in Nomakora. They share snacks and soda. Photo Credit, Sophia Neiman.
Community members gather to watch a theatre program in Nomakora. They share snacks and soda. Photo Credit, Sophia Neiman.

The journey to Nomakora sub-county is difficult. One must first drive from Gulu towards Kitgum and from Kitgum veer off tarmac and on to red dirt roads. Rains have not come this year, and the dust seems to predict another sort of storm. Vehicles kick up enough of it to obscure everything. Dust leaves a fine film on the skin. It comes into the nose. It makes lungs feel dirty.

Justice and Reconciliation Project staff traveled to Nomakora last week, in order facilitate a community outreach program. Women’s Advocacy Network group members designed a theatre piece in order to teach their neighbors about the horrors of abduction and life in the bush. The goal was to reduce stigma within the community, by showing both the difficulty of the past and the promise of future reconciliation. The program also helps to empower women previously silenced, and gives them a powerful platform and voice.  JRP has a history of facilitating similar community theatre programs, with great success.

The afternoon sun blazed and women sat in the shade, away from the dusty road. They made props, weaving tiny AK47s from stiff grass. Children picked at the false weapons, eager for new toys. Babies nursed. A DJ arrived to set up a sound system for the program, and community leaders and other villagers arrived as well, settling into wooden chairs or simply sitting on the ground.

Before the play came a prayer for those still in the grip of the Lord’s Resistance Army. According to the LRA Crisis Tracker, sponsored and created by Invisible Children, the rebels have been active in the Central African Republic and Democratic Republic of Congo as recently as September of this year, with an attack near Yalinga, DRC. A number of children remain in captivity.

This prayer complete, a woman named Evelyn asked the community for peace. Her voice soft and earnest she said, “If you have killed everyone, who will help us? Who will be the next generation?”

The drama itself began with a portrait of daily life in the shadow of violence. Children supposed to help their mother cook begged to play outside instead. Then, without warning, they were snatched from their homes and taken to the bush. The actors mimed beatings and battles and being forced to carry guns and heavy loads.

It was not difficult to image the same scene playing out here and nearby, in the surrounding villages, and along the porous parts of maps. It was not difficult to imagine also those traumas not portrayed; to imagine the forced marriage of young girls, offered up like objects to senior commanders.

WAN group members reencact scenes of LRA captivity. Photo Credit, Sophia Neiman.
WAN group members reencact scenes of LRA captivity. Photo Credit, Sophia Neiman.

At last, the story came to its cautiously hopeful conclusion. Those children once supposed to help cook, returned home and to their mother. She cried out in joy and gripped them to her, but the children were too tired to speak about their experiences. “Let us rest,” they said. Family reunions were haunted by other ghosts.

While it ended with a reunion, the play made clear that a new set of challenges lay ahead. The formerly abducted face daily discrimination. Unable to finish school, they lack job skills, making it difficult to support themselves and their families. Many are victims of domestic abuse.

One woman, identified as Jennifer, spoke directly about this violence.  The program had ended and the sun was setting fiercely. We had stepped away from the crowd. Jennifer said, “Whenever [our husbands] go on a drinking spree they take that opportunity to insult us, stigmatize us and abuse us.” Her comments implied alcoholism and a lack of security, even within the home.

The war is over in Uganda, but many obstacles remain.

Counselor Five Nomakora Sub-County , Kenneth Nyero, speaks about the need to create more programs for survivors of conflict. Photo Credit, Sophia Neiman.
Counselor Five Nomakora Sub-County , Kenneth Nyero, speaks about the need to create more programs for survivors of conflict. Photo Credit, Sophia Neiman.

As a result of the drama, local and cultural leaders and community members have become increasingly aware of the hurdles returnees must surmount. District officials are eager to ameliorate the situation. Following the drama, many made passionate speeches.

Counselor Five Nomakora Sub-County, Kenneth Nyero, seemed particularly eager to aid the formerly abducted. He was deeply moved by the program. Following his speech, we talked in more depth. The DJ had begun to play by then, and music echoed over the conversation.

Mr. Nyero hopes that the government and non-profit organizations can form long term partnerships in order to support vulnerable people, and specifically those returned from captivity. “We will work together as a team supporting humanity,” he said. “We have to support the ones who have come from the bush . . . the government does not have a specific program targeting [returnees]. If possible, there is need to design a specific program that will target these groups.”

Community members were also touched by the program. An older woman, called Anette, claimed that piece truly showed what happened in Namokora.  Her tone implied memories awakened and a sense of watching history on repeat.  Her daughter was abducted during the insurgency, but has now returned, even serving as secretary for the WAN group in Namokora.

Anette spoke little about her own experiences and past, focusing instead on the future. During the play she observed community members crying, overwhelmed by the intensity of it all. She hopes this is a sign of change to come. “There is going to be great impact for those who have the feelings,” she said.

The drama and speeches complete, Namokora returned to its normal rhythms. Children turned summersaults in the grass. Others rushed back down the road with yellow water jugs, trying to reach home before dark. The chairs were brought back. Women took advantage of the DJ and danced wildly.

Life went on.

Community members in Namokora dance, while a DJ plays. Photo Credit, Sophia Neiman.
Community members in Namokora dance, while a DJ plays. Photo Credit, Sophia Neiman.

The drama program in Nomakora is a microcosm; one aspect of a much larger  initative. Following, JRP staff visited Lapono and Adjumani, where community theatre performances also took place. Women in Lapono shared stories of alcoholism and domestic abuse, presenting possible situations for redress through continued dialogue and active leadership. Performers in Adjumani reenacted battles, while leaders called for more services, overwhelmed by the ongoing transitional justice process and South Sudanese refugee crisis simultaneously. Meanwhile, women in Soroti staged a radio program about stigmatization.

Community members in Adjumani portray scenes of conflict. Photo credit, Sophia Neiman.
Community members in Adjumani portray scenes of conflict. Photo credit, Sophia Neiman.

According to Community Development Officer Lapono Sub-County, Bena Sarah Ongom, there is profound desire to share these dramas more widely, in order to increase their impact. “Clearly the play is based on a true picture of the community. Whatever challenges they gave in the role play, is the actual truth on the ground. I think from the good practices they picked from the drama they can be in position to improve, especially against gender based violence and how they can overcome it. We advise that this kind of play should be expanded to most of the parishes,” she said.

Community dramas speak to the fortitude of returnees and to the strength it takes to rise up and teach others, no matter how exhausting or difficult the task. They speak to the capacity for learning and forgiveness, and to the possibility of complete reconciliation within the community. They also speak to the vast scale of the problem and to the clear need for continued support; for more support. Many returnees have not been able to form non-profit supported groups, and so cannot take part in programs such as these. Thus, the performers represent a fraction of the voices and stories within the northern region.

JRP will remain invested in these communities through community theatre programs and other means, and continue to amplify marginalized voices and foster reconciliation. Information gathered will also aid the development of a best practices guide of other non-profits working with survivors of sexual and gender-based violence, ultimately expanding JRP’s reach.

Women in Namokora carry chairs used in the community theatre program back home. Photo Credit, Sophia Neiman.
Women in Namokora carry chairs used in the community theatre program back home. Photo Credit, Sophia Neiman.

Ongwen Trial Continues: JRP Endeavors to Bridge Divides between the Community and the Court Room

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“You could see people in the court room laughing and even Dominic Ongwen would fall behind his hands,” said Justice and Reconciliation Project Head of Office, Mr. Okwir Isaac Odiya. “[Ongwen] was genuinely happy with the testimony given.” As the defense team continued to mount its case, Mr. Odiya journeyed to the International Criminal Court in The Hague to monitor the trial on behalf of JRP.

The image of the accused in a fit of giggles seems almost incongruous with the case itself. Abducted by the Lord’s Resistance Army as a young boy, Ongwen eventually commanded the Sinia brigade.  He is accused of 70 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity, including abducting children to use as soldiers and sex slaves.

The defense argument is thoroughly unique. Lawyers, led by Counsel Krispus Ayena, assert that Joseph Kony had spiritual power over his army. Thus, Ongwen was not only indoctrinated. He was possessed by spirits. Ayena brought forward a number of witnesses, including a local chief and traditional Ajwaka or Witch Doctor. These witnesses explained the depth of the spiritual realm and, through it, the control Kony exerted over his followers. In other words, Ongwen’s actions were not his own.

According to Mr. Odiya, There was little cross examination, and the judge asked questions only to clarify. Similarly, observers leaned in with rapt attention, at first listening only to understand. Ayena’s argument is certainly surprising and even tricky, but not without the possibility of success. “If the court allows there is a spirit world, the case may be dismissed,” Mr. Odiya said.

The defense team also strove to prove that the Uganda People’s Defense Forces were culpable in the insurgency. Blame has thus far fallen primarily on the rebels, and history has ignored government crimes. Ayena asserts that exposing these atrocities now may pave the way for future prosecution.

Meanwhile, Ongwen has been well cared for in The Hague. His condition stands in sharp contrast to the experiences of fellow rebel Thomas Kwoyelo, who has spent the past decade in the overcrowded Luzira prison. Ongwen is given a monthly allowance to buy food and clothes. This allows him a level of financial security that many Ugandans lack, particularly in conflict affected areas. He has also become an excellent cook, often preparing meals for his defense team, and learned to read and write in English and play the piano.

Gaps in knowledge about the court are striking. While many residents of the Acholi Sub-Region have followed the case through community screenings, run by the ICC, few understand its intricacies or the manifold arguments put forward by the defense. Some even fear for Ongwen’s life. During a JRP focus group last month, a resident of Pajule said, “Killing Ongwen will not raise up those who died.”

The clear next step is to bring information about the case and arguments made back to the communities. Specifically, Mr. Odiya hopes to make the court process and the rights of the accused clear going forward.

In addition to attending trial sessions, Mr. Odiya participated in a number of meetings with court officials. He spoke at length the victims’ council and the prosecution team as well as the Registrar of the court and Director of External Division, among other official and identified multiple programmatic areas to complement the court process.

Whether Ongwen is proved innocent or guilty, the society needs repair.  Reconciliation is crucial and war-time wounds must be healed. Mr. Odiya will focus on leading JRP to advocate and contribute in fostering ‘beyond court room’ initiatives.

Goat Rearing Brings Economic Opportunities to Survivors of Conflict

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The sun in Lapono beat down fiercely. Little rain has come to region, so dust swirled in the air with hot wind.  Despite the heat, residents waited eagerly in the village center, talking and laughing with palpable excitement.

Following a long training on goat rearing earlier last month, Justice and Reconciliation Project staff returned to Lapono on Wednesday, October third. They presented thirty-eight goats to Women’s Advocacy Network group members there. The group was also given a cash box and fund, from which they can take small loans.

Distributing all thirty-eight goats was an exhilarating process. The animals were tried in a grassy field and labeled with numbers one through thirty-eight. Stubborn, they bleated and kicked at the ground. Residents were also assigned numbers and found the goats with corresponding digits. After picking their animals women cried out in ojili or jubilation and everyone posed for a picture.

Residents of Lapano pose for a group picture with thier new goats. Photo Credit, Sophia Neiman.
Residents of Lapano pose for a group picture with thier new goats. Photo Credit, Sophia Neiman.

Life in Lapono remains difficult, and the formerly abducted must surmount many obstacles. Stigma runs rampant. “Now people are trying to abuse us from the community. They are violating our rights to live in harmony,” a woman named Akello said. She has remained in Lapono for more than a decade; ever since she escaped the rebels. Furthermore, according to the Community Development Officer, Bena Sarah Ongom, domestic abuse, school dropouts and teenage pregnancy are also prevalent. Many women possess limited, if any, ownership over crucial resources.

Thus, the goats mark new opportunities. It is a signal of possibility. Now, the animals will aid in farming. As time passes, money raised from the goats can help send children to school, pay for medical bills, or be used to buy more nutritious food in the market place. “I know my life is going to change,” said Akello.  She continued, “I am going to take good care of [the goats] to ensure they grow up very well and help me in paying for my children to go to school. I didn’t get the chance to study so I need my children to study.” She is currently a mother of four.

Ideally, effect of the project will reach beyond WAN group members, and influence people throughout the area. “They can act like role models in the community, so that other people can adopt their standard of life and their standard of saving culture. The goats that they have been supported with can multiply, and eradicate household poverty,” Ongom said.

Goat deliveries were not limited to Lapono. JRP staff gave thirty-six goats to residents of Namokora, near the border with South Sudan. In the coming weeks, they will journey to Adjumani and Soroti. The program is made possible due to the generous support of the Welfare Fund.

A woman celebrates with her goat. Photo Credit, Sophia Neiman.
A woman celebrates with her goat. Photo Credit, Sophia Neiman.